Early Life and Education of George W. Bush: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of George W. Bush. From birth to education, explore key events.
George W. Bush, the 43rd U.S. President (2001-2009), is a prominent figure in American politics. Son of President George H.W. Bush, he served as the governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. His presidency was largely defined by the September 11th terrorist attacks, which led to the launch of the "War on Terror," including military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Other key policy initiatives included education reform through the "No Child Left Behind Act," tax cuts, and debates surrounding social issues. Bush's administration faced criticism regarding its handling of Hurricane Katrina and the financial crisis of 2008.
July 6, 1946: Birth of George W. Bush
On July 6, 1946, George Walker Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Pierce.
July 6, 1946: George W. Bush Born
On July 6, 1946, George Walker Bush was born. He would later become the 43rd President of the United States.
1953: Death of Robin Bush
In 1953, George W. Bush's sister, Robin, passed away from leukemia at the age of three.
1964: Attended Yale University
In 1964, George W. Bush began attending Yale University.
1967: Engaged to Cathryn Lee Wolfman
In 1967, George W. Bush was engaged to Cathryn Lee Wolfman. However, the engagement did not last.
May 1968: Joined U.S. Air Force
In May 1968, George W. Bush joined the United States Air Force and was commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard.
1968: Graduated from Yale University
In 1968, George W. Bush graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
1972: Drilled with Alabama Air National Guard/Suspended From Flying
In 1972, George W. Bush drilled with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard. He was also suspended from flying for failure to take a scheduled physical exam.
1973: Drilled With the Alabama Air National Guard
In early 1973, George W. Bush drilled with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard.
1973: Enrolled in Harvard Business School
In the fall of 1973, George W. Bush entered Harvard Business School.
November 21, 1974: Honorably Discharged From Air Force Reserve
On November 21, 1974, George W. Bush was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve.
1975: Graduated Harvard Business School
In 1975, George W. Bush graduated from Harvard Business School with an M.B.A. degree.
September 4, 1976: Arrested for DUI
On September 4, 1976, George W. Bush was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Kennebunkport, Maine, and was subsequently fined and had his license suspended.
1977: Met and Married Laura Welch
In 1977, George W. Bush met Laura Welch at a backyard barbecue, and they married after a three-month courtship.
November 25, 1981: Birth of Twin Daughters
On November 25, 1981, Laura Bush gave birth to fraternal twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna.
1986: Quit Alcohol
In 1986, George W. Bush attributes his decision to give up alcohol to his wife's influence and his faith in God.
April 1989: Purchased Interest in Texas Rangers
In April 1989, George W. Bush arranged for a group of investors to purchase a controlling interest in the Texas Rangers baseball team and invested himself.
1998: Sold Shares in Texas Rangers
In 1998, George W. Bush's sale of his shares in the Texas Rangers brought him over $15 million.
June 10, 2000: Jesus Day in Texas
On June 10, 2000, George W. Bush proclaimed it to be Jesus Day in Texas.
September 11, 2001: 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks occurred.
2001: Condoleezza Rice served as national security advisor.
In 2001, Condoleezza Rice began serving as Bush's national security advisor.
2002: No Child Left Behind Act Signed Into Law
In early 2002, George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law, aiming to measure and close the gap between rich and poor student performance and target more federal funding to low-income schools. The act passed with broad bipartisan support.
2005: Condoleezza Rice served as secretary of state.
In 2005, Condoleezza Rice began serving as Bush's secretary of state.
March 2009: First Post-Presidency Speech
In March 2009, George W. Bush delivered his first post-presidency speech in Calgary, Alberta, praising U.S. troops.
September 15, 2009: Al-Zaidi Released from Prison
On September 15, 2009, Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the journalist who threw shoes at President Bush in December 2008, was released early from prison for good behavior after serving a reduced sentence.
November 5, 2009: Visit to Fort Hood Survivors and Families
Following the Fort Hood shooting on November 5, 2009, George and Laura Bush privately visited the survivors and the victims' families the day after the shooting.
2009: End of Rice's term as Secretary of State
In 2009, Condoleezza Rice's term as Bush's Secretary of State ended.
January 2010: Establishment of Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
In January 2010, at President Obama's request, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton established the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to raise contributions for relief and recovery efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
June 22, 2010: Bush's Statement on North Korea
On June 22, 2010, George W. Bush commented that while South Korea prospers, North Koreans have suffered greatly due to communism.
November 9, 2010: Memoir "Decision Points" Released
On November 9, 2010, George W. Bush released his memoirs, "Decision Points", discussing his presidency and key decisions.
2010: Attended Rangers Playoff Games
In 2010, George W. Bush attended every home playoff game during the Texas Rangers' season.
May 2, 2011: Obama Informed Bush of Bin Laden's Death
On May 2, 2011, President Obama called George W. Bush, who was at a restaurant with his wife, to inform him that Osama bin Laden had been killed.
August 6, 2013: Successful Treatment for Coronary Artery Blockage
On August 6, 2013, George W. Bush underwent successful treatment for a coronary artery blockage with a stent, discovered during an annual medical examination.
November 19, 2013: Appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
On November 19, 2013, George W. Bush appeared on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, along with his wife Laura, where he stated that he does not publicly comment on the Obama administration because he doesn't think it's good for the country for a former president to criticize his successor.
2014: Forum on Education and Health
In 2014, alongside the United States–Africa Leaders Summit, George W. Bush, Michelle Obama, the State Department, and the George W. Bush Institute hosted a daylong forum on education and health with the spouses of the African leaders attending the summit. Bush urged African leaders to avoid discriminatory laws that make the treatment of HIV/AIDS more difficult.
2016: Congratulating Trump on his victory
After the 2016 elections, George W. Bush, along with his father and brother Jeb, called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory.
2016: Statement on Dallas Police Shooting
In 2016, George W. Bush reacted to the shooting of Dallas police officers, expressing heartbreak and condemning the violence as evil.
January 20, 2017: Attendance at Trump's Inauguration
On January 20, 2017, George W. Bush and his wife attended Donald Trump's first inauguration. Images of Bush struggling to put on a rain poncho during the ceremony became an internet meme.
February 2017: Release of "Portraits of Courage"
In February 2017, George W. Bush released "Portraits of Courage", a book of portraits of veterans. The net proceeds from the book were donated to the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
September 7, 2017: Partnership with former presidents for Hurricane relief
On September 7, 2017, George W. Bush partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama to work with One America Appeal to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in the Gulf Coast and Texas communities.
September 1, 2018: Remarks at John McCain's Funeral
On September 1, 2018, George W. Bush and his wife attended the funeral of John McCain at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. where Bush delivered remarks at the service.
September 2018: Bush and Obama's Friendship Displayed at McCain Funeral
In September 2018, George W. Bush famously passed mints to Michelle Obama during the McCain funeral, highlighting their good-natured friendship.
December 2018: Bush and Obama's Friendship Displayed at George H. W. Bush's Funeral
In December 2018, George W. Bush again gave mints to Michelle Obama during the funeral of his father, further showcasing their friendly relationship.
May 2019: Portrait of Roh Moo-hyun
In May 2019, on the tenth anniversary of former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun's death, George Bush drew a portrait of Roh to give to his family.
May 2019: Visit to South Korea to pay respects to Roh Moo-hyun
In May 2019, on the tenth anniversary of former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun's death, George W. Bush visited South Korea to pay respects to Roh, delivering a short eulogy.
June 1, 2020: Statement on George Floyd's Murder
On June 1, 2020, George W. Bush released a statement addressing the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide reaction and protests, expressing anguish and concern over racial injustices.
2020: Non-endorsement in the 2020 presidential election
During the 2020 presidential election, George W. Bush did not give any endorsements, but held a virtual fundraiser for U.S. senators Susan Collins, Cory Gardner, Martha McSally, and Thom Tillis. He also did not attend the 2020 Republican National Convention where President Trump was re-nominated.
January 6, 2021: Denouncement of U.S. Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, following the U.S. Capitol attack, George W. Bush denounced the violence, comparing it to how election results are disputed in a banana republic.
April 2021: Bush Wrote in Condoleezza Rice on the Ballot
In April 2021, George W. Bush told People magazine that he did not vote for either Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the general election. Instead, he wrote in Condoleezza Rice, who served as his national security advisor from 2001 to 2005 and as his secretary of state from 2005 to 2009.
September 11, 2021: Speech at the Flight 93 National Memorial
On September 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, George W. Bush gave a speech at the Flight 93 National Memorial, praising the heroism of the people on Flight 93 and the spirit of America.
2023: First Pitch at World Series Game 1
George W. Bush threw the first pitch in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series.
July 13, 2024: Condemnation of Assassination Attempt
On July 13, 2024, George W. Bush condemned the assassination attempt on then-former president Trump, calling it "cowardly" and applauding the Secret Service's response.
January 20, 2025: Attendance at Trump's second inauguration
On January 20, 2025, George W. Bush and his wife attended Donald Trump's second inauguration.
September 10, 2025: Condemnation of Charlie Kirk's Assassination
On September 10, 2025, George W. Bush released a statement condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk, elaborating on political violence in the United States.
November 17, 2025: Appearance on Monday Night Football
On November 17, 2025, George W. Bush appeared on Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Manning, where he discussed his sports fandom, his family, and his career.
November 20, 2025: Attendance at Dick Cheney's Funeral
On November 20, 2025, George W. Bush and his wife attended the funeral of his former vice president Dick Cheney at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where Bush spoke.
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